Taking a look at Friday night's inductees

At the age of 27, Trout is in the prime of his career and currently focused on re-gaining his 154-pound world title that he lost to Saul Alvarez on April 20 in San Antonio, Texas.

Trout takes a moment on Friday to pause, as he's inducted into the New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame along with fellow New Mexico world champions Bob Foster, Holly Holm, Danny Romero and the late Johnny Tapia.

"It's an honor to be inducted but I feel like I have to do a little more to be mentioned with guys like Romero, Tapia and Foster," Trout said. "I'm very humble about it, but I'm going to earn my spot."

Friday will be the second Hall of Fame class inducted into the New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m., Friday at the Las Cruces Convention Center. The weekend concludes with the first Austin Trout Youth Boxing Class on Saturday at 2 p.m. Proceeds from both events will go to the Police Athletic League gym where Trout started his career.

"New Mexico has been strong in boxing for many years," Trout said. "The Hall of Fame gives some recognition for local pugilists."

Career summary: Foster was inducted into the International Hall of Fame in 1990 as arguably the greatest light-heavyweight of all time.

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Foster first won the WBC and WBA light heavyweight titles with a knockout victory over Dick Tiger at Madison Square Garden in 1968. He defended the title 14 times, winning 11 straight fights before losing by knockout to Joe Frazier in Detroit, Mich., in 1970. All of Foster's losses came as he stepped up in weight class to take on the biggest names of the sport, losing to Muhammad Ali in 1972. Foster fought five times in New Mexico. The last time was a third-round knockout of Bill Hardney at Sweeney Gym in Santa Fe.

Trout's take: "I met him quite a few times. He was that cool uncle that you have. As an African American fighter in New Mexico and seeing what he accomplished from this state, there have been a lot of times when I'm down and tell my coach I don't know if I can do this. My coach would say, 'Bob Foster could do it.'"

Career summary: Holm announced recently that she's leaving the boxing ring to begin a career in mixed martial arts. And why shouldn't she? At 31, Holm won titles in three weight classes: she captured the WIBA, WBC, WBA and IFBA welterweight titles with a unanimous decision over Ann Saccurato in 2007. An interesting note to Holm's career: only Rita Turrisi is the only true blemish on Holm's record. Turrisi knocked out Holm in 2004, while Holm was able to avenge her only other loss to Anne Sophie Mathis in 2012. She also earned a victory against all three fighters who were fortunate to earn a draw against her.

Trout's take: "She's the greatest of all time in women's boxing because she's beaten everyone in so many weight classes. There is really nothing left for her to do. She gives me something to shoot for. I want to be an undisputed champion."

Career summary: At 5-foot-5, Romero packed a wallop with 38 knockouts - rare for a fighter in that division. Romero won titles in two weight classes. Romero fought 18 times in Albuquerque, but also fought in Artesia, El Paso and Las Cruces throughout his career. In a contrast of style, Romero took on fellow Hall of Fame inductee Johnny Tapia in an IBF super flyweight title fight while trying to take Tapia's WBO super flyweight title. Tapia's slick fighting style earned a unanimous decision over Romero's power punching in 1997 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Trout's take: "He was definitely a power puncher. One thing about him and Tapia .... was when the ring announcer said (they were) fighting out of Albuquerque, New Mexico."

Career summary: Tapia overcame injuries and personal demons to become a five-time world champion, and a world champion in three weight classes. A larger-than-life personality, Tapia's talent in the ring made him arguably the most popular fighter to come out of New Mexico. Tapia beat Roland Gomez for the USBA super flyweight title in 1990. He added the NABF and WBO super flyweight tile in 1994, the IBF belt in 1997 and the WBA bantamweight title in 1998. Tapia went unbeaten in his first 48 fights, winning 17 straight before suffering his first loss to Paulie Ayala in 1999 in a bantamweight title bout, a fight Tapia couldn't avenge when they met again in 2000. Tapia won his last four fights, closing his career with a victory over Mauricia Pastrana in 2011 before his death in May 2012.

Trout's take: "Johnny was a very skillful fighter but people remember that flamboyant personality that he had. That was just the way Johnny was, which is why the crowd and the people loved him."

Career summary: Trout's career has been defined with mental toughness and the confidence to fight anyone, anywhere. Trout won his first 26 fights, earning the 154-pound WBA world title with a victory over Rigoberto Alvarez in Mexico in 2011. Trout's signature victory thus far was a 2012 unanimous decision over Miguel Cotto in Cotto's home venue - Madison Square Garden in New York. Trout is unsure on his next opponent, but is hopeful to land on the Saul Alvarez/Floyd Mayweather Jr., title fight card in September.

Trout's take: "I take lessons from everyone's journey. It just shows the diversity of boxing in New Mexico that everyone has their own style."

Jason Groves can be reached at (575) 541-5459. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves

HALL OF FAME EVENT

What: "A Night of Champions," the New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame ceremony.

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